On 13th September 1869 goods traffic opened on the Solway Junction railway which used the Silloth line between Kirkbride and Abbey Junction

Kirkbride Junction Signal Box closed in 1922

Became part of LNER in 1923

Became part of British rail in January 1948

A fatal accident occured on 23rd October 1950 when a passenger train derailed near Drumburgh killing the Driver & Fireman

Engine shed at Silloth closed in July 1953

Grinsdale Siding closed in 1953

On 29th November 1954 two diesel units intoduced on the line the first in Britain

Traffic from Fisons private sidings at Silloth ceased in 1962

Closed to goods traffic on 1st June 1964

Line closed on 6th September 1964

When the Carlisle & Silloth Bay Railway & Dock Company (C&SBRDC) opened their Carlisle - Silloth line in 1856 it utilised the Port Carlisle Branch as far as Drumburgh and the remaining part of the Port Carlisle line then became a horse worked branch. The Port Carlisle Railway Company agreed to supply a locomotive if the C&SBRDC provided rolling stock. The NBR leased the line from 1862 and it was absorbed by them in 1880. Several stations were at first only open on Saturdays! In 1954 it became the first line in the country to have steam trains replaced by diesel units but even so it closed completely ten years later.

Relics of The Line Today

Stations - Kirkandrews and Burgh both residences; Drumburgh lost to road improvements Kirkbride station house survives; Abbeyholme and Black Dyke residences; Silloth station part of platform with buildings converted into flats but boarded up in 1999.

Loco Sheds - Carlisle Canal (NY381564) on north side of Silloth line west of canal junction demolished in 1964 and later industrial units occupied the site but these have also gone and it is now grass and woodland with paths crossing the area. Silloth two road shed demolished site landscaped; Silloth (NY110533) on south side of Silloth station demolished between 1967 and 1971.

This image is by courtesty of Holme St Cuthbert History Group and Mrs Mary Marshall of Silloth and should not be reproduced without their consent